Magnetically coupled toy train



Patented Aug. 19, 1952 MAGNETICALLY COUPLED TOY TRAIN Jay I. Smith, Chicago, Ill., assigner to ToyCraft Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Illinois Application August 25, 1948, Serial No. 46,047

3 Claims.

My invention relates to toy trains and has to do particularly with a coupling for coupling the train-forming vehicles together.

`An object of my invention is to provide an improved coupling device for toy trains.

Another object is to provide a coupling by which vehicles may be coupled by merely moving them into abutting relation in an appropriate manner.

An additional object is to provide a coupling device which may be operated in an extremely simple manner and which is adapted for operation by very young children.

A further object is to provide a toy train coupling of the foregoing character which has no moving parts, is structurally strong, and which may be manufactured and assembled inexpensvely.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy train embodying my invention;

Eig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a vehicle and illustrating the magnet element of the coupling;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a vehicle and illustrating the armature element of the coupling; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary View of a horizontal section through a coupling showing the coupling elements in coupling relation.

In accordance with my invention a plurality of toy vehicles are provided each of which carries, on at least one end thereof, a magnetic coupling element positioned for abutment and magnetic connection with a second and cooperative magnetic element carried on ano-ther vehicle. The cooperative magnetic elements consist of a permanent magnet and an armature, respectively, these elements Apreferably being formed respectively wi'th exposed faces of complementary form, preferably spherical, whereby when the magnetic elements are in abutting relation they permit a certain amount `of relative pivotal movement of the respective vehicles on which they are located without separation of the abutting faces and separation of coupled vehicles. The train may comprise a plurality of toy vehicles of similar or different forms simulating generally in appearance actual vehicles, which, customarily, are connected in tandem arrangement to form a train, such as rail vehicles, for example. In the present illustrative embodiment there are shown, for purposes of illustration, a locomotive Il, a gondola car I2, and a c'aboose I`3.

Each of the toy vehicles forming the train preferably is formed with a platform base I0 which serves to mount superstructures of various shapes adapted to impart to the combined structure a shape simulating generally the shape of an actual vehicle. For example, the locomotive H, gondola car I2 and caboose I3 are formed by mounting superstructures I4, l5 and IB respectively on similar base members IIJ. Both the bases and superstructures are formed of rugged, preferably inexpensive, material and preferably I employ wood for this purpose, although other sui-table materials such as a plastic may be employed.

The v-arious elements or vehicles forming the train are provided with wheels I'I, each .of which preferably is constituted by a plurality of metal wiashers, the wheels being carried by suitable axles I8 supported in the respective base members IG,

whereby the toy vehicles may be rolled along any generally planar surface such as the floor. The axles I8 are supported on the base portion of the vehicles so that the base portions of each vehicle are equidistant above the lower periphery of the wheels i I 1, and consequently when the vehicles are disposed on a. planar surface all base portions are at the same level. Therefore, a magnet element or elements may be mounted on the base member of each of the vehicles in the train and all such elements willbe located at the same height above the surface on vwhich the vehicles are supported and thus are in position to abut in coupling relation when two vehicles are moved into .abutting relation.

The permanent magnet portion 2li of my coupling preferably is constituted by a member formed of permanently ma-gnetized material of high retentivity such as Alnico. It is prefere ably of generally cylindrical shape and is provided with an axial bore 2 I for receiving suitable fastening means such as a headed nail 22 for securing the permanent magnet 20 -to a vertical end surface of a-t least certa-in of the base members I0 (for example, on the bases of the locomotive Il and gondola I 2). Pole pieces 23 and 24 are defined on one end of `the cylindrical magnet 20 by a transverse -slot 25 extending entirely across the magnet element. The slot is formed with a transverse width greater than the diameter of the bore 2-I, whereby the head of the nail '22 is received therein .and lies below the end face of the magnet. The exposed end face 2'6 of the magnet 2B has a concave contour, preferably spherical as illustrated, terminatingshort of the periphery of the magnet 20 to provide av fiat surface or rim portion 2'I normal to theaxis. of the magnet 20. 'Ihe concave surface 26 is preferably made concentric with respect to the exposed end of the magnet by having its center of curvature disposed on the axis of the magnet and surface 21 is also made concentric with the axis of magnet 20. The purpose of the concave surface 26 and the flat surface 21 will appear further in conjunction with the following description.

lAn armature 30 forming another part of my magnetic coupling is supported on a vertical end surface of at least certain of the base members l0 (for example, the bases of the gondola car I2 and caboose 1'3). Where an armature is lprovided on a vehicle having a magnet (such as the gondola car I2) it is located at the opposite end of the vehicle from the permanent magnet portion 20. The .armature 30 is made from a paramagnetic material and preferably is provided with fastening means such asa nail 3"! forming a portion thereof whereby the armature SG may be secured to 4each of the base members in axial alignment with the magnet 2t secured to the other end thereof. The exposed face 32 of the armature is convex and shaped to conform with the concave surface provided in the ends of the pole pieces 23 and 24, having the same radius of curvature as provided for the surface 25.

Furthermore, the convex surface 32 terminates short of the periphery of the armature to provide a flat surface or rim portion 33 disposed normal to and concentric with the axis of the nail 3l. However, the chordal dimension of the convex surface 32 preferably is greater than the chordal dimension of the concave surface 26, whereby when the convex surface 32 is brought into registration and abutting relation with the concave surface 26, the surface 33 will be held in closely spaced relationship with the surface 21 on the end of the magnet Eil. These constructional features of the coupling permit limited relative pivotal movement of the armature and magnet when in coupled connection, the movement being limited by the contact of surface 33 with the surface 21 on the permanent magnet 2li. Hence, when the vehicles are coupled together to form the train, they are permitted to pivot relative to each other at their couplings and at the same time the entire concave surface of the pole pieces is maintained in contact with the convex surface of the armature to provide the maximum magnetic coupling force. While the surfaces 21 and 33 are spaced sufficiently to permit the relative pivotal movement of the vehicles, nevertheless they are sufciently close to one another to aid in the magnetic attraction between the magnet elements.

While each vehicle may be provided with both a permanent magnet portion 20 and an armature 30, the two vehicles which are to form the endmost vehicles of the train may have only the magnet and the armature, respectively. As many cars as desired may be coupled to form the train simply by moving the magnet supporting portion of each car into abutting relation with the armature supporting portion of another car. No special skill or knowledge is required to uncouple or to couple my magnetic coupling. This feature is especially important in toys constructed for amusement and education of very young children Where simplicity of operation of the toy is required. There are no moving parts in my coupling to become damaged or broken by rough handling. The material of which the coupling is made is inexpensively and readily obtainable and. the coupling may be assembled on the various units of the train by an unskilled workman.

Coupling action provided by the magnetic coupling is permanent in nature and therefore is not subjected to the usual wear found in couplings having moving parts.

While I have illustrated and described my magnetic coupling elements as being supported preferably on the base portions of the vehicles, it will be understood that the magnet 20 and the armature 30 may be supported on other portions of the vehicle structure. For example, the magnet elements may be mounted on the superstructure where the vehicles have forms such that magnet elements thus mounted may be brought into abutment by moving the respective vehicles into abutment on the vehicle-supporting surface. It will be understood that the coupling of my invention is applicable for coupling two or more toy elements of the so-called pull toy type to form a train such as toy automobiles, toy sleds and the like. Accordingly, where the expression toy train is employed herein, it will be understood to mean various types of toy trains and that it is not limited to toy trains simulating railway trains.

I claim:

l. In a toy train including a plurality of toy vehicles, the combination of a cylindrically shaped permanent magnet supported on one end of at least one of the toy vehicles, said magnet being disposed with its axis in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the supporting toy vehicle and having a transverse slot in its exposed end to form a pair of spaced magnetic pole pieces, the end faces of said pole pieces being concave and arcuate in cross section about a common center of curvature lying on the axis of said magnet, and a paramagnetic armature supported on one end of at least another of said toy vehicles and in axial alignment with said magnet, said armature having an exposed convex surface, arcuate in cross section and complementary in shape to the end faces of said pole pieces, said armature being adapted to be attracted by said magnet and received in abutting relation with said pole pieces, the convex surface area of said armature being greater in arcuate dimension than the overall extent of the concave surface area of said magnet pole pieces, whereby when magnetic coupling is effected between the toy vehicles, said magnet is allowed to move pivotally Vrelative to the said armature without reducing the full end surface contact of the pole pieces with the armature.

2. In a toy train including a plurality of toy vehicles, the combination of a cylindrically shaped permanent magnet supported on one end of at least one of the toy vehicles, said magnet being disposed with its axis in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the supporting toy vehicle and having a transverse slot at its free end forming a pair cf spaced magnetic pole pieces, the inner regions of the end faces of said pole pieces being concave and spherically shaped about a common center of curvature lying on the axis of said magnet and the extreme outer regions of the end surfaces of said pole pieces being flat and affording a circular rim portion at the free end of the magnet which is interrupted by said slot, and a paramagnetic armature supported on one end of at least another of said toy vehicles and in axial alignment with said magnet, said armature being generally of disc shaped design and having a flat annular rim and a central spherical convex surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the common radius of curvature of the end faces of said pole pieces, said spherical convex surface being greater in area than the overall extent of the spherical concave surfaces of said pole pieces, whereby when the magnetic coupling is effected between the toy vehicles, said magnet is allowed to move pivotally relative to said armature without reducing the full end-surface contact of the pole pieces with the armature, the outside diameter of said fiat annular rim being at least as great as the diameter of said cylindrically shaped magnet and the inside diameter of said fiat annular rim being less than the diameter of said cylindrically shaped magnet, whereby when the coupling is eiected the fiat peripheral attracting regions of said magnet will exert a magnetic pull on said fiat annular rim portion of the armature.

3. In a. toy train including a plurality of toy vehicles, the combination of a cylindrically shaped permanent magnet having a base portion supported on one end of at least one of the toy vehicles, said magnet being disposed with its axis in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the supporting toy vehicle and having a transverse slot at its free end forming a pair of spaced magnetic pole pieces, a, fastening member having a shank extending through said base portion and into said vehicle and a head bearing against the bottom of said slot and wholly disposed within the confines of the slot, at least the inner regions 6 of the end faces of said pole pieces being concave and spherically shaped about a common center of curvature lying on the axis of said magnet, and a paramagnetic armature supported on one end of at least another of said toy vehicles and in position for axial alignment with said magnet when such vehicles are in coupled position, and having a circular head formed with a spherical convex surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the common radius of curvature of the end faces of said pole pieces and a fastening shank extending rearwardly from said head and into said other vehicle.

JAY I. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

